NBA: Grizzlies hold off Magic's comeback to win fifth straight | Inquirer Sports
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NBA: Grizzlies hold off Magic’s comeback to win fifth straight

/ 02:28 PM January 06, 2023

 Ja Morant #12 and Dillon Brooks #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies high five during a game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on January 05, 2023 in Orlando, Florida.   Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images/AFP NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

Ja Morant #12 and Dillon Brooks #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies high five during a game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center on January 05, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images/AFP

Ja Morant scored 32 points, Jaren Jackson Jr. added 31 points on 12-of-14 shooting from the floor and grabbed 10 rebounds and the Memphis Grizzlies held off the host Orlando Magic’s furious fourth-quarter rally for a 123-115 win on Thursday.

Memphis led for all but a brief stretch in the first quarter, surging ahead 65-43 thanks to out-shooting Orlando in the first half, 26-of-51 to 15-of-43. The Grizzlies rode a 64-40 advantage for points in the paint on the night and built a lead of as many as 25 points in the second half.

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The Magic rallied in the fourth quarter, however, with a 15-6 run fueled by Franz Wagner’s individual burst. He scored on four consecutive Orlando possessions, tallying 10 of his 22 points in a span of less than 90 seconds late in the contest.

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With Caleb Houstan’s banked-in 3-pointer after Wagner’s surge, the Magic cut the deficit to six points but could get no closer.

Markelle Fultz knifed through the Memphis defense and had a look at the rim, but his layup attempt with 40.9 seconds remaining, which would have cut the gap to five points, rimmed out.

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Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said his players got “a little casual” with too many late turnovers.

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He said they were troubled by Orlando’s full-court press but added: “When we got organized we came up with some big-time plays.”

Reserves gave the Memphis offense a boost. The Grizzlies’ bench outscored Orlando’s 42-31, thanks to Ziaire Williams’ 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting overall and 3-of-4 from 3-point range, plus Tyus Jones’ 12 points.

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Jones also posted team highs of eight assists and two steals.

Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 30 points and nine rebounds, but his 2-of-7 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc reflected Orlando’s overall struggles from deep. The team finished 11-of-36 on 3-point attempts.

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Wendell Carter Jr. scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds before fouling out. Fultz dished a game-high nine assists.

Thursday’s win extends Memphis’ current streak to five games.

Field Level Media/with reports from Agence France-Presse

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TAGS: Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA

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